36 weeks

I have reached 36 weeks--only one more week until I am considered full-term. I woke up this morning to a wonderful surprise baby gift from one of our neighbors. They got Baby Frank a bunch of sweet gifts and a gift certificate to Baby's-R-Us. It was a great way to start my morning! I also had a doctor's appointment today, and the doctor told me that the baby is head down, and I am already 1 centimeter dilated and 80% effaced. Although this does not really mean much, it does mean that my body is making progress and getting ready for labor. Of course I called Frank (who just arrived in Kansas, where he will be for the next two weeks), and he freaked out. My doctor told me that he does not expect me to make it to my due date, but you never know. I also talked to him about possible induction, and he told me that he would induce me at any time after 39 weeks if I want him to, since my body is already favorable and induction would not likely increase my odds of having a c-section. So it looks like we will have a pre-Thanksgiving baby for sure!

Frank and I had a very busy weekend getting ready for Baby Frank's arrival. On Sunday we went up to Baylor for a tour of the labor & delivery part of the hospital. I have never been to a hospital before, so it was comforting to know where we are supposed to go and how everything will work. All of the nurses were extremely nice and helpful, and one of my coworkers arranged for a friend of hers to give us the tour. I am so glad that we did it! Frank actually got pretty excited about the hospital cafeteria. We also went and picked up the jogging stroller, and Frank put together the pack-n-play. I packed my hospital bag and washed all of the baby's newborn and 0-3 month clothes and all of his receiving and swaddle blankets. I cannot believe how tiny some of the newborn clothes are! It is hard to believe that the baby may actually be that small when he is born.

We also went up to the horse races on Saturday night with our friends Micah and Leslie and their two beautiful children. We had not seen them in a long time, and it was great to catch up and talk to Leslie all about babies. Frank and I are so excited about this baby, especially because now we know that he is probably coming sooner than later! I just hope that he holds out for two more weeks so that his daddy can be there for the delivery!!

35 weeks

I have made it to 35 weeks! I went to the doctor this morning, and everything still looks great. My weight gain is right on track, my blood pressure is still very low, and the baby is measuring right on schedule and his heartbeat sounds great! I will go to the doctor every week from now until my due date. I am so excited to meet this baby! After going to our childbirth class on Saturday, I decided that I am going to try to walk on the treadmill every night for at least 30 minutes, because our instructor stressed how good walking is for the baby. So on Sunday I walked for 45 minutes, and it was painful. But ever since then, my lower back has felt great! I don't know if the walking caused the baby to move off the sciatic nerve or what, but I am definitely motivated to keep it up if it is going to help relieve that pain.

In other, non-so-great news, I had an accident in the parking lot at my doctor's office this morning and backed into a parked car. Luckily there was not too much damage, but it was not the best way to start my Monday morning! Thankfully the owner of the other car was really nice, and neither of the cars was too badly damaged. Hopefully the rest of the week will be smooth sailing!

Here are a couple more pictures of my belly--it is certainly getting big!! Although I appreciate all of the people who tell me I look "tiny."

Childbirth class

Yesterday Frank and I attended a marathon 9-hour childbirth class, and it was surprisingly informative and interesting. We learned everything we ever wanted to know (and more) about the birth process, the hospital we will be delivering at, and other couples who are due near the same time we are. Every single person in our class who knows the sex of the baby is having a boy! We have friends who are having a child in November and do not know the sex of the baby, but I am going to bet they are having a boy too!

One of the things that Frank was really hoping to learn during the class was whether there is any reliable sign that labor is impending, so that he could know to hop on a plane and be back in time for the birth. Unfortunately, the instructor told us that there is really no reliable way to predict when labor will happen, so we are just going to hope that Baby Frank decides to stay put until November 8, when Frank will be back in town for good until the baby is born. I have a feeling that he will arrive sometime the week of Thanksgiving, and I am hoping he comes right on his due date!

At the end of the class, the instructor had us practice some breathing and relaxation exercises, and she told us to visualize ourselves successfully completing the labor process and then bonding with the baby. She then told us how much baby boys love their mothers, and her speech made me cry like a little baby! It was so sweet, and it makes me so excited that we are going to get to meet our baby boy so soon. I can't wait!!

This week I have also ordered and purchased most of the items from our registries that we did not receive at our showers that we need right when the baby is born. Thanks to all our wonderful friends and family, there was not much left for us to buy! My Aunt Barbara and Uncle Mike sent us our car seat this week, and Frank is going to install that in my car today. I am also going to pack my hospital bags this weekend, just in case!!

Baby shower & full house!

This morning my sweet co-workers Kelly, Kim, and Robin hosted a wonderful baby shower brunch at Kelly's home. Everything was decorated so nicely, and I had a great time. They had a fabulous cake, delicious brunch food, and a bunch of cute decorations. Baby Frank got a bunch of great stuff, including a bunch of adorable clothes, swaddle blankets, a baby bath tub, a homemade blanket, and a swing! I am so blessed to work with such wonderful women! My good friend Kristen and my sister also came out, and my Mom and Aunt Barbara flew up for the night to attend the shower. It was great to see Aunt Barbara and spend some time catching up with her. Tyler and his friend also came up to Dallas for the weekend to go to the Texas A&M/Arkansas game with Frank. We had a full house! Luckily we just got the new furniture in the guest bedroom so everyone had a place to sleep. I dropped them all off at the stadium at 9:30 this morning, and they are still not home yet...I guess they are having a great time, even though the Aggies lost, boo!

Here are some pictures from the shower, this weekend, and the new furniture in our guest room:

monkey balloons

bubble bath favors

gorgeous cake

invitation

me, Al & Mom

the Proesch ladies

me & the lovely co-hostesses

delicious food

eating brunch

table #2

playing the celebrity baby name game

opening gifts

reading the advice cards everyone wrote

playing with the Texas-sized cards

guest bedroom furniture

33 weeks

I had my 33-week appointment with the doctor this morning, and everything still looks great with Baby Frank. He is measuring on schedule and his heart beat sounded great. I did have to get a flu shot at this appointment (for the first time in my life!), but it was not bad at all. Even the doctor commented that this baby is coming soon!

This weekend three of my friends from work are hosting another baby shower for me, and my Mom and Aunt Barbara are flying up for it. I am excited!!

Baby Frank's nursery & 50 days!

Baby Frank is due 50 days from today!! Wow, i cannot believe how fast the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant and then found out that we were having a boy. A lot of you have requested nursery pictures, so here they are! I am so happy with the way it turned out. It is definitely very monkey-ed out, but I think it is cute. I can't wait to bring him home.

I am still having a lot of pain in my lower back/upper right leg which is causing me to walk around like a crippled old lady. I am trying to take it easy, but it is frustrating! I have my next doctor's appointment on Monday, so hopefully he will give me some good suggestions for relief. This is one of my last free weekends before the baby arrives, so I have been resting up, organizing the nursery, and enjoying some time by myself.

Here are a bunch of pictures of the nursery:















In case anyone is curious, here is where I got all of the decorations:

Crib & Dresser/hutch: Munire Bristol collection
Glider & ottoman: Serena & Lily
Side table: Pottery Barn Kids
Monkey mural: Dali Decals, Pottery Barn Kids
Bedding & toy chest: Restoration Hardware
Pillows: Graham Kracker
Valance: Fabric Factory
Monkey artwork: Posh tots, etsy
Monkey lamp & mural: Kidsline
Wall letters: luxurybabynursery.com

Houston: A wedding, a baby shower, and an 87th birthday!

I am now 32 weeks pregnant! I had many discussions about what exactly this means this weekend--am I eight months pregnant (32 weeks/4 weeks = 8 months) or seven months pregnant (because I am due in two months)? All I know is that Baby Frank is coming soon! I have been feeling some lower back pain the last couple of days, and my doctor thinks it is due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. I am going to try to take it easy for the next few days and hope that it subsides. Other than that, I am still feeling great and getting very excited for my baby boy!

We had a fabulous weekend in Houston! On Saturday night, we attended Erin McCrory's wedding at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It was a gorgeous wedding, and Frank and I agreed that it was the most unique and cool wedding venue we had ever been to. It was great to see Erin and to catch up with my childhood friend Amy Hays, who I had not seen since her own wedding seven years ago! Here are a few pictures from the reception:

Me & the beautiful bride

me & Frank, all dressed up and ready to go!

reception among the dinosaurs--so cool

first dance

me & Amy

On Sunday, Corey, Brooke, Katie, and Lindsey hosted a wonderful baby shower for all of my Houston friends. They did an absolutely fabulous job hosting, from the beautiful decorations to the awesome food. Brooke's husband Mason cooked omelets made-to-order and served us all breakfast! It was so creative and intimate, and I am truly blessed to have such great friends. We played some fun games and Baby Frank got a TON of adorable clothes and other fun gifts. I love all of you and am so grateful for your kindness and generosity! Here are a bunch of pictures from the baby shower:

me & all of my girlfriends who made it to the shower

me & the lovely hostesses

opening gifts

aw, my drink tag says "Mommy"

adorable banner that Katie made for baby Frank

yummy dessert

guessing who brought which onesie

measuring the bump

with the Price is Right basket of goodies (I won!)

me & Diana

me & Jennifer

me & Grandma, Allison, and Mom

beautiful hydrangea centerpiece

place setting & menu card

gorgeous table set up

adorable monkey diaper cake that Corey made

all the loot!

cute candy favors on entry table

baby bottle candy favors

On Sunday after the shower we celebrated Grandpa's 87th birthday with dinner and cake at Mom and Dad's house. It was great to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa, who we had not seen since we announced that I was pregnant back in April. Here are a couple of pictures from the birthday celebration:

blowing out the candles

me, Frank, Al, Tyler, and Grandpa

the entire Proesch fam!